Living Wallpaper and Fabric Designer Serena Dugan Says Her "Traveler's Spirit" Informs Every Aspect of Her Life Here, the painter, designer, and mother of two shares a few of her favorite things. By Melissa Ozawa Melissa Ozawa Melissa Ozawa is the features editor at Martha Stewart Living. Editorial Guidelines Published on February 11, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: LAURIE FRANKEL PHOTOGRAPHY The world really is Serena Dugan's oyster. A globe-trotter who studied psychology, art, and textile design, she collects pearls of inspiration (fabric swatches, art books) and mental snapshots (a palm leaf in Brazil, a Luis Barragán building in Mexico City) everywhere she goes. "I store them in my memory bank and draw from it for my work," she says of the colorful, graphic wallpapers and fabrics in her eponymous line. Serena's Top Picks Dior Addict Lip Glow in Berry Lust for Life by Irving Stone Drybar Double Shot Oval Blow-Dryer Brush Ray-Ban Wayfarer Classic Sunglasses Vitamix A2500 Five years ago, Dugan stepped away from Serena & Lily, the brand she cofounded 13 years prior and helped grow from a baby-nursery catalog to an upscale home marketplace. Her plan was to paint full-time (she sells her canvases at galleries and on her website), "but I realized I still had a million other ideas I wanted to express," she says. Now, the mom of two starts most days sketching in her studio, dressed in a shirt, comfy jeans, and a good-luck charm or two in the form of jewelry from her grandmother. "They're wearable totems," she says. "I like to fill my home and closet with meaningful items." Dugan's patterns are infused with what she calls the "traveler's spirit," noting, "We are at our freest when we are exploring and seeing new things. I want to capture that feeling in my prints." Where to Shop for Stylish Wallpaper Online 01 of 18 Button Up Courtesy of Frank & Eileen "It's well-made and lets me move when I'm working." Shop Now: Frank & Eileen Barry Featherweight Button-Up in Shirting Blue, $218, frankandeileen.com. 02 of 18 Sunglasses Courtesy of Ray-Ban "They're versatile and won't ever go out of fashion." Shop Now: Ray-Ban Wayfarer Classic Sunglasses, $163, ray-ban.com. 03 of 18 Fabric Courtesy of Serena Dugan Studio "Fenn [left] is soft and modern. Capretto feels vintage." Shop Now: Serena Dugan Studio Fabrics, $178 a yard, serenadugan.com. 04 of 18 Belles of Ireland NYNKE VAN HOLTEN/GETTY IMAGES A favorite, along with peonies: "This plant is the most hopeful shade of spring green." 05 of 18 Gin Courtesy of Hendrick's Gin "It's the right balance of floral and crisp. I drink it with tonic and extra lime." Shop Now: Hendrick's Gin, $35, totalwine.com. 06 of 18 Lip Balm Courtesy of Dior "Moisturizing with just a hint of color." Shop Now: Dior Addict Lip Glow in Berry, $35, sephora.com. 07 of 18 Jeans Courtesy of Mother The Hustler "They fit well and look good. I feel tucked-in." Shop Now: Mother The Hustler Ankle Fray Jeans in Au Revoir, $238, shopbop.com. 08 of 18 Lust for Life Courtesy of Amazon "This moving biography speaks to the passion of an artist; it's transformative." Shop Now: Lust for Life by Irving Stone, $18.59, amazon.com. 09 of 18 Take-Everywhere Tote Courtesy of Uashmama "It fits everything and is not precious. I can throw it around." Shop Now: Uashmama Giulia Bag in Petrolio, from $139, us.uashmama.com. 10 of 18 Serum Courtesy of Vintner's Daughter "My skin's nutrients: I use a little in the morning and at night." Shop Now: Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum, $195, nordstrom.com. 11 of 18 Hand Cream Courtesy of Neutrogena "I learned about this from my mom. It's better than anything else on the market." Shop Now: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream, $5.49, bedbathandbeyond.com. 12 of 18 Shearling Clog Boots Courtesy of No.6 "I love slipping into shearling; these are super-comfortable." Shop Now: No.6 5-Inch Pull-On Shearling Clog Boots on Mid-Heel in Brown Aviator, $390, no6store.com. 13 of 18 Dijon Mustard Courtesy of Walmart "I use it all the time, in sandwiches, salad dressing, and lentils. It's not too spicy." Shop Now: Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard, $4.38, walmart.com. 14 of 18 Blow-Dryer Brush Courtesy of Drybar "I never take time for a blowout, but this makes me look like I've been to the salon." Shop Now: Drybar Double Shot Oval Blow-Dryer Brush, $150, sephora.com. 15 of 18 Rose Oil Courtesy of Amma's "It's an intoxicating mix of sandalwood and rose." Shop Now: Amma's Rose Oil Roll-On, from $20, theammashop.org. 16 of 18 Neutral Nail Polish Courtesy of OPI "I alternate between this color and red-orange Essie Clambake." Shop Now: OPI Nail Lacquer in Bubble Bath, $10.79, ulta.com. 17 of 18 Sterling Flatware Courtesy of Reed & Barton "It was my mom's wedding silver, and I use it every day. I promised her I'd polish it." Shop Now: Reed & Barton Diadem Sterling Flatware, price dependent on quantity, replacements.com. 18 of 18 Vitamix Courtesy of Vitamix "I make a morning smoothie with mango, spinach, banana, and protein powder." Shop Now: Vitamix A2500, $549.95, williams-sonoma.com. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit